Page 68 of Tis the Season
‘Don’t touch me.’ She glowered at her husband. ‘It’s because of you I’m in this mess.’
Hurt swept across Jake’s face.
Brian took the father-to-be’s arm. ‘Come on, son. Let’s go and find the conductor. He can radio ahead and have an ambulance waiting at the next stop.’
‘This can’t be happening,’ Lexi said, as Jake disappeared from view. ‘I can’t give birth here.’ Tears sprang in her eyes. ‘I told him we’d be better staying at home. Why didn’t he listen?’
‘Everything’s going to be fine,’ I said. ‘The train will be on the move again soon and you’ll be at the hospital before you know it.’
‘I hope you’re right,’ Martha said. Her voice almost a whisper, she seemed to instinctively put a hand on her tummy.
My heart went out to her and realising she needed to be kept busy for her own sake as much as Lexi’s, I reached for my tote bag and pulled out my knitting. ‘How are you at this?’ I asked.
Martha stared at the needles, confused. ‘I can knit and purl, if that’s what you mean?’
‘Can you cast off?’
Martha nodded.
I passed everything over. ‘Away you go then. We’ll need something to wrap the baby in when the time comes.’
Clearly appreciating the distraction, Martha settled herself down, took a deep breath and got to it.
Lexi grimaced as another pain welled in her belly.
CHAPTER37
Lexi’s groans had grown louder and her face more contorted. She’d managed to walk through a lot of her pain by pacing up and down the aisle. However, as time had gone on her contractions hadn’t just become longer, stronger and more frequent, they were stopping her in her tracks.
Lexi’s worsening discomfort made me feel powerless, but I knew my feelings were nothing compared to what Jake was going through. As I watched him step forward for the umpteenth time, Lexi flashed him a scowl to yet again tell him his assistance wasn’t wanted. Seeing the poor man’s desperation, I gave him a reassuring pat on the arm as he retook his seat.
Alex and I each checked the clocks on our phone screens and noting Lexi’s contractions now stood at less than five minutes apart, we shared a look of concern.
Alex took a deep breath. ‘Looks like we’re almost there.’
‘We can’t be,’ Lexi said.
‘Shouldn’t we wait until we get to the next station?’ Jake asked. The poor man was beside himself.
‘That would be my preferred option,’ Julia said under her breath.
‘There isn’t time.’ Alex put a hand on Lexi’s shoulder. ‘Everything’s gonna be okay. I just need you to trust me.’
Lexi swallowed hard and nodded.
Martha sped up her knitting.
‘You too, daddy.’ Alex took a deep breath, returning his attention to the mother-to-be. ‘Right, let’s get you comfortable.’
‘Good idea,’ Jake said. He frantically scanned the train. ‘How? Where? Jesus Christ, this can’t be happening.’ Grabbing every coat he could see, his hands shook as he spread them out on a row of seats.
Lexi grimaced as pain yet again seared through her belly.
‘She can’t lie down,’ Alex said.
‘Why not?’ I asked.
‘The uterus pushes on major blood vessels,’ Alex replied. ‘If she’s on her back she’ll faint.’
